Weekly Report September 02 to September 09

Haiti Backs UN Plan to Transform MMAS into Gang Repression Force

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé voiced Haiti’s firm support for a United Nations draft resolution to convert the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS) into a fully empowered Gang Repression Force (FRG). The statement came during a high-level UN Security Council meeting held via videoconference on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister warned that Haiti’s crisis is not only a national emergency but a “human and regional tragedy” that threatens stability across the Caribbean. He argued that strengthening the international mission is essential to restoring state authority, protecting vulnerable communities, and preventing broader regional destabilization.

According to the head of government, the transition from MMAS to a more robust FRG is also vital to creating the conditions for free and credible democratic elections. He emphasized that secure elections would reinforce governance and restore legitimacy to Haiti’s democratic institutions.

Fils-Aimé also highlighted the critical role of international cooperation and solidarity in addressing Haiti’s security crisis. He expressed gratitude to the members of the Security Council for their ongoing commitment to stability, peace, and the democratic process in Haiti.

The government underscored the urgency of swift adoption and effective implementation of the resolution, framing it as a concrete demonstration of the international community’s willingness to stand with the Haitian people in their pursuit of peace, security, and democracy.

Ruto Presses UN for Clear Guidance on Future of Haiti Security Mission

Kenyan President William Ruto has called on the United Nations Security Council to provide clear direction on the future of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, which is currently led by Kenya. His remarks came on Sunday, September 7, 2025, during the Africa-CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as the mission’s mandate nears its expiration on October 2.

President Ruto emphasized that time is running out and urged the Council to ensure a responsible transition. He noted that the crisis in Haiti requires urgent international support and a carefully managed handover to avoid a security vacuum. The Kenyan leader reaffirmed his country’s commitment to international peacekeeping while stressing that the Security Council must provide a timely decision.

The MSS was deployed in June 2024 to support the Haitian National Police (HNP) against entrenched armed groups. Despite its intended strength of 2,500 personnel, the force remains under-resourced, with only 991 officers deployed as of mid-2025. Equipment shortages have further limited the mission’s ability to confront gangs operating across Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.

While the mission has faced significant constraints, it has supported limited gains. These include the reopening of the HNP police academy, the graduation of 739 new officers earlier in 2025, and the establishment of forward operating bases in parts of the capital. However, the broader security situation remains severe, with gangs continuing to control most of Port-au-Prince and more than one million people displaced nationwide.

Discussions at the Security Council now center on a U.S.–Panama draft resolution proposing the creation of a 5,550-member Gang Suppression Force, authorized for 12 months. This larger formation would include stronger logistics and the establishment of a UN field office in Port-au-Prince. The initiative seeks to prevent a lapse in security should the MSS mandate expire without renewal.

Possible scenarios include a transition into the proposed larger mission, a short-term rollover of the current MSS mandate, or a complete mandate expiry followed by withdrawal. Each carries implications for Haiti’s stability, humanitarian access, and the operational capacity of the HNP.

Ruto underlined that Kenya’s role in Haiti has been rooted in multilateralism and cooperation, but that clarity from the Security Council is now essential. He warned that without timely guidance and resources, the progress achieved so far could be undone, leaving Haiti vulnerable to renewed violence and instability.

FAA Extends Ban on U.S. Flights to Port-au-Prince Until March 2026

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has extended its prohibition on American commercial carriers operating flights to Port-au-Prince. The measure, initially enacted in November 2024, is now scheduled to remain in effect until March 7, 2026.

The FAA confirmed the extension on September 5, 2025, noting that U.S. airlines and pilots holding U.S. licenses are permitted to transit Haitian airspace but remain barred from landing at Toussaint Louverture International Airport or operating below 10,000 feet in the Port-au-Prince area.

The agency cited continuing security concerns as the basis for its decision. In May 2025, the U.S. Department of State designated Viv Ansanm, the country’s largest gang coalition, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Despite the deployment of a Kenyan-led multinational security mission alongside the Haitian National Police, the FAA stated that armed groups maintain significant operational capacity.

According to the FAA, gangs now control nearly 90 percent of Port-au-Prince, along with surrounding roadways and border corridors. Their access to small arms and unmanned aerial systems poses a particular threat to aircraft during low-altitude flight operations.

The agency further noted that shortages of personnel and equipment hinder both Haitian and international security forces. It added that uncoordinated actions, including targeted drone strikes, complicate efforts to secure airspace and limit the effectiveness of countermeasures.

The ban was first imposed following reports from three U.S. airlines: Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and American Airlines, that aircraft flying over Toussaint Louverture International Airport had come under fire. These carriers subsequently suspended their routes to Haiti. Canadian and French airlines followed suit, and earlier in 2025, American Airlines formally ended its operations in the country after five decades of service.

While commercial flights remain suspended, the U.S. Department of Defense continues to conduct landings at Port-au-Prince in support of the Multinational Security Support Mission.

Haitian National Police Report Neutralization of Gang Members in Liancourt

Between Thursday, September 4, and Friday, September 5, 2025, approximately fifteen suspected members of the Gran Grif gang, based in Savien, Artibonite, were killed during armed confrontations with units of the Haitian National Police (PNH) in Liancourt.

The operation was directed by Chief Commissioner Jean Jude Chéry, head of the Saint-Marc district, with support from Departmental Director Jacques Ader. According to an official statement issued by the Press and Public Relations Coordination of the PNH (CPRP), the intervention was deemed a success.

Commissioner Chéry reported that four members of local community resistance groups sustained minor injuries, but no police personnel were harmed. He further noted that approximately fifteen gang members were neutralized over the two-day period. As a precaution, police did not recover the bodies, weapons, or ammunition of the deceased individuals.

Among those killed was “Chalako,” a lieutenant of the Gran Grif gang, whose death was documented in a widely circulated video across the Artibonite region. Law enforcement recovered an automatic weapon, a motorcycle, and a pickup truck bearing traces of blood, which officers believe had recently transported bodies or wounded individuals.

Authorities stated that the territorial influence of the Gran Grif gang in Liancourt has been significantly reduced, now spanning only two kilometers. The gang, led by Lucson Élan, has exerted control over the area since July 16, 2025, imposing restrictions on the local population.

To reinforce security in Liancourt, specialized police units, including the Temporary Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG), the Departmental Unit for Law Enforcement (UDMO), and the Motorized Intervention Brigade (BIM), have been deployed to strengthen the local station and support the community.

Police officials emphasized that the definitive dismantling of Gran Grif in Liancourt will require additional personnel and logistical resources from the PNH high command.

Haitian National Police Receives Armored Vehicles to Bolster Operational Capacity

The Haitian National Police (PNH) received a shipment of armored vehicles on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Toussaint Louverture International Airport. The delivery, transported aboard a cargo flight, included ten armored vehicles and protective equipment intended to reinforce specialized police units deployed in high-risk areas.

According to government sources, the purchase was financed entirely by the Haitian state. Approximately one million U.S. dollars was allocated for the cost of air transport alone, with this shipment forming the first installment of a larger order of 30 vehicles. Officials emphasized that the delivery responds to urgent operational needs, as more than 20 armored units have been destroyed in recent months and over 20 others remain inoperable, leaving the PNH with only 64 functional vehicles.

Although the specific models delivered were not officially disclosed, the PNH fleet already includes Lenco Bearcat and INKAS Sentry armored personnel carriers, as well as Geebor MRAPs and armored variants of Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser vehicles. Previous procurements in recent years have involved armored Toyota Land Cruiser 79s, suggesting that the new vehicles are consistent with existing platforms already in service.

Authorities described the arrival of the vehicles as a critical step in strengthening the institution’s ability to respond to armed groups and organized crime across the country. Further shipments are expected in the coming weeks as part of the government’s broader program to modernize the national police and restore security in areas heavily affected by gang activity.

400 Mawozo Leader Threatens Mirebalais Hospital Amid Rising Tensions

On September 6, 2025, a video surfaced showing the leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, Lanmò San Jou, threatening to burn down the Mirebalais University Hospital (HUM) if security forces deploy drones armed with explosives against his group or allied fighters from the so-called “Talibans” of Canaan. The armed coalition has occupied parts of the commune in Haiti’s Centre department for several months.

Later that afternoon, observers reported piles of used tires being stacked outside the HUM building, raising fears of imminent attacks or roadblocks designed to deter law enforcement and intimidate civilians.

Lanmò San Jou has long been a central figure in Haiti’s spiraling gang violence. He is also the subject of a U.S. federal indictment. American prosecutors have charged him with conspiracy to commit hostage-taking and providing material support to a transnational criminal enterprise. The charges stem from his leadership role in 400 Mawozo, the gang responsible for the abduction of 17 Christian missionaries, including U.S. citizens, in 2021. That incident drew international condemnation and prompted the U.S. Department of Justice to issue a warrant for his arrest.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continues to list Lanmò San Jou as a wanted fugitive, citing his involvement in orchestrating kidnappings for ransom targeting foreign nationals and coordinating weapons trafficking into Haiti. His criminal operations have extended beyond Haiti’s borders, linking him to regional networks that funnel firearms and ammunition into the country.

The latest threats against a major medical facility highlight the growing risks to civilian infrastructure as gangs escalate their confrontation with Haitian and international security forces. Mirebalais University Hospital, a flagship medical institution in the Centre department, serves thousands of Haitians each year and has been a critical facility for both routine care and emergency treatment.

Local residents and medical staff expressed alarm at the threats, warning that an attack on the hospital would devastate an already fragile health system. Security officials in Mirebalais have reinforced their presence around the hospital, but concerns remain that the gang’s threats could further destabilize the region.

The Haitian National Police, supported by multinational forces, continues operations aimed at dismantling the control of armed groups. However, Lanmò San Jou’s open defiance underscores both the persistence of Haiti’s security crisis and the difficulties faced in apprehending gang leaders with international criminal indictments.

Foreign Journalists Secure Access to “Barbecue” While Security Forces Struggle to Capture Him

In a striking contrast that underscores Haiti’s deepening security crisis, foreign journalists have repeatedly secured access to Jimmy Chérizier, alias “Barbecue,” even as specialized police units and the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) have been unable to arrest him.

On September 6, 2025, Chérizier was again interviewed by foreign journalists inside Port-au-Prince, despite the fact that he remains a wanted figure under international sanctions and a U.S. federal indictment. The encounter took place in gang-controlled territory, continuing a pattern seen since 2021 where Chérizier has used media appearances to broadcast political messages and reinforce his image as the face of the Viv Ansanm coalition.

Over the past several years, major international outlets have aired interviews showing him speaking openly in neighborhoods under his influence. In March 2024, for example, a televised interview captured him describing his campaign as a “revolution,” while later in 2024 and 2025 other correspondents documented similar encounters arranged through local intermediaries.

Meanwhile, Haiti’s security forces remain unable to achieve the same access. Police operations in Port-au-Prince, including efforts by the CPT Task Force and the MSSM, have been hampered by manpower shortages, lack of equipment, and the high risk of operating in gang-held strongholds. For Chérizier, carefully orchestrated interviews provide propaganda value and international visibility. For law enforcement, those same settings are fortified zones where any arrest attempt could trigger heavy armed resistance.

The disparity highlights a larger optics problem: the public sees Chérizier granting interviews in relative calm while Haitian and multinational forces face severe risks even approaching his areas of control. Analysts warn that until security forces can consistently contest and hold gang territory, the inability to detain figures like Chérizier will remain a glaring symbol of institutional weakness.

The United States has intensified its pursuit of Chérizier. In August 2025, the Department of Justice announced a federal grand jury indictment against him for sanctions evasion and financing activities, adding to existing international sanctions and reinforcing his status as a wanted fugitive.

The image of journalists interviewing “Barbecue” with apparent ease, most recently on September 6, while Haiti’s most capable security units remain unable to apprehend him has become a powerful reminder of the state’s fragile authority. It encapsulates the paradox of a country where a gang leader can appear openly before the global press yet remain beyond the reach of its institutions.

Gang Leaders Release Videos Showing Unhindered Movement Across Port-au-Prince

Recent videos circulated online showing leaders of the Viv Ansanm coalition, designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), moving freely through key neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince and its outskirts.

Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, alongside fellow gang leaders Jeff Gwo Lwa, Krisla, and Kempes, appeared in multiple clips recorded in Martissant, Delmas 6, and Canaan. The footage depicts them socializing in public settings, including gatherings, luxury residences, and poolside leisure scenes, while also traveling in heavily armed motorcades. The convoy images highlight the scale of their mobility, showing long processions of SUVs and pickup trucks moving through the capital without visible obstruction.

The release of these images underscores how the leaders of Viv Ansanm continue to exercise operational control in large swathes of Port-au-Prince. Despite U.S. federal indictments and multimillion-dollar bounties, Chérizier and his associates maintain the ability to stage public appearances, host media interviews, and project power through social media.

Security analysts note that these videos serve both as propaganda and as demonstrations of impunity. For Chérizier, who was indicted by U.S. authorities in August 2025 for conspiracy to violate sanctions, such displays reinforce his image as a political actor capable of defying both Haitian and international authorities.

Meanwhile, the Haitian National Police, the CPT Task Force (Private Military Contractors) and the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) face significant challenges in countering Viv Ansanm. The coalition’s ability to move across neighborhoods and strategic corridors, captured on video for both domestic and international audiences illustrates the enduring weakness of state authority.

The circulation of these recordings comes at a time of heightened international focus on Haiti. The United States and Panama are advancing a draft resolution at the United Nations calling for the creation of a 5,500-member Gang Suppression Force to replace the under-resourced MSSM. Yet, as the recent images of Chérizier and his allies demonstrate, Haiti’s armed groups remain able to operate openly in the capital, challenging both national and international efforts to restore security.

Haitian Terrorist Gang Leader Chérizier Appeals to UN, Blaming Elites and Foreign Powers for Crisis

Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérisier, the notorious Haitian gang leader designated by the United States as a terrorist and sanctioned by the United Nations, has issued his first written political manifesto in the form of a letter to Carlos Gabriel Ruiz-Massieu Aguirre, the newly appointed head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). The letter dated August 19, 2025, and released publicly last week, outlines Chérizier’s narrative of Haitian history and his stated vision for resolving the crisis. Despite being wanted by the United States, which has offered a reward of up to $5 million for his capture, Chérizier continues to position himself as a political voice through his Viv Ansanm coalition.

In the 14-page letter, Chérizier argues that Haiti’s instability is not the product of gangs alone but of decades of manipulation by political and economic elites. He claims that successive governments and private-sector actors have created, armed, and then discarded militias as tools of repression and social control, beginning with the Duvalier-era Tonton Makout, continuing with the paramilitary FRAPH in the 1990s, and later the Chimères under President Aristide. According to his version of history, these forces were used to suppress opposition and maintain elite privilege before being abandoned and demonized once their utility expired. Chérisier asserts that this cycle of creation, exploitation, and destruction has never addressed the root causes of violence, which he identifies as poverty, exclusion, and institutional collapse.

He also places blame on international actors for reinforcing what he calls a neocolonial order. He points to the 1994 dissolution of the Haitian Armed Forces, which he says was mishandled and allowed weapons to flow into civilian hands, and to the 2010 earthquake, which left the state incapacitated and created space for gangs to strengthen. For Chérizier, these historical turning points illustrate how Haiti’s insecurity has been shaped by both internal elites and foreign interventions.

Rejecting external solutions, Chérizier portrays himself as the victim of selective criminalization. He denies responsibility for the November 2018 La Saline massacre, describing it as a fabricated accusation orchestrated by human rights organizations with political agendas. He denounces the UN sanctions imposed on him in 2022 as baseless and condemns the recent U.S. bounty as an attempt to silence dissent. He claims that his role has been to awaken political consciousness among Haiti’s marginalized classes rather than to repress them.

Instead of international intervention, Chérizier calls for a Haitian-led national dialogue aimed at restoring sovereignty, achieving social justice, and promoting inclusive economic development. He insists that lasting peace will not come from targeting one gang at a time or from externally imposed agreements, but from addressing structural inequality and creating Haitian solutions to Haitian problems. In a symbolic phrase, he warns that “Haiti will be a shared paradise or a common hell,” underscoring his claim that the current path will only reproduce the cycle of destruction unless fundamental changes are made.

The release of the letter demonstrates how Chérizier is shifting his tactics from armed control of neighborhoods to seeking political legitimacy. By casting himself as a spokesman for the poor, he attempts to place himself at the center of the national debate while continuing to command the Viv Ansanm coalition, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization. For the international community, this raises a profound dilemma: whether to treat him strictly as a criminal actor whose influence must be dismantled or as a political force exploiting narratives of historical injustice to expand his reach.

Analysts note that his framing of Haiti’s crisis resonates with certain public perceptions about elite complicity in violence, but it stands in sharp contradiction with his actions as a gang leader. Under his command, gangs have been implicated in kidnappings, extortion, blockades, and killings that have deepened the country’s suffering. His words may invoke sovereignty and social justice, but his activities have entrenched fear and insecurity across Port-au-Prince and beyond.

The timing of the letter is significant. It comes as the United Nations and international partners are debating the future of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti and considering proposals for a larger Gang Suppression Force. By issuing his manifesto now, Chérizier is attempting to influence the narrative at a moment of high international attention. While he presents himself as a political actor calling for truth and accountability, his designation as a terrorist gang leader and the multimillion-dollar reward for his arrest highlight the contradiction between his rhetoric and his role in perpetuating violence.

Confusion Surrounds Deadly Port-au-Prince Incident That Left a Dozen Dead

At least twelve people, described as civilians, were killed on Saturday, September 6, in downtown Port-au-Prince amid clashes between the Haitian National Police and armed groups. Conflicting accounts have since emerged over the cause of the tragedy.

Pierre Espérance, executive director of the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), stated that the victims died when a kamikaze drone malfunctioned and exploded after striking the van they were traveling in. He pointed to a similar case on August 19, when two officers of the Police Intervention Group (GIPNH) were killed in Kenscoff by a drone strike. Espérance argued that while drones can be an effective tool, their use must be precise and consistent, warning against what he described as “selective deployment.” He criticized the fact that drones sometimes miss their intended targets while vehicles transporting armed gang members are left untouched.

Despite these concerns, Espérance reiterated his support for the police’s use of advanced equipment, stressing that gangs have inflicted enormous harm on the country and that their dominance must be ended.

However, other witnesses dispute the drone explanation. Julio Joseph, a shopkeeper injured in the incident, insisted that the van he was riding in came under gunfire before crashing into a wall. According to him, the driver and several passengers were killed instantly, while others, including himself, sustained injuries.

The contradictory testimonies have deepened uncertainty around the events of September 6. As investigations continue, the incident has fueled debate over the risks of using drones in dense urban environments, raising questions about accountability, precision, and civilian safety in Haiti’s escalating conflict.

Alleged Vectus Global Contract Raises Alarm Over Transparency and Private Military Involvement in Haiti

The controversy surrounding an alleged contract between the Haitian State and Vectus Global, a private military company (PMC), is drawing increasing attention from civil society and watchdog groups. On September 8, the civic movement Konekte-AYITI publicly addressed the matter, calling for clarification from state authorities. The response from the Superior Court of Auditors and Administrative Disputes (CSCCA) was clear: it has no formal knowledge of such a contract.

In a letter dated August 28, 2025, and signed by Vice President of the Court, Me Marie France H. Mondésir, the CSCCA declared that it “has no formal information on this contract” and therefore cannot inform the public about “a case of which it is unaware of the details and circumstances.” The Court nevertheless praised Konekte-AYITI’s initiative, urging the movement to “maintain citizen vigilance” in order to promote transparency and good governance in public administration.

For Konekte-AYITI, the issue goes far beyond a single contract. “We reiterate our determination to work, alongside civil society, to ensure that transparency, accountability, and the legality of the State’s commitments become a tangible reality in the country,” said Frandy Jasmin, Secretary General of the movement.

The alleged agreement with Vectus Global has raised eyebrows not only because of the lack of official confirmation but also because of the broader implications of relying on private military companies in fragile contexts like Haiti. Vectus Global, linked to Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, notorious for its role in the Nisour Square massacre in Baghdad has been accused of replicating in Haiti the same opaque and lethal model seen in Iraq, Yemen, and Africa. Reports suggest that since March 2025, operations attributed to Vectus Global in Haiti have resulted in more than 200 deaths, with no clear evidence that major gang leaders have been captured or neutralized.

As Dimitry Charles reports, civil society groups warn that outsourcing security to private mercenaries undermines national sovereignty, bypasses institutional oversight, and risks creating new cycles of violence. Contracts with PMCs are often negotiated in secrecy, with limited parliamentary review and no guarantee of accountability if abuses occur. Haiti’s institutions, already weakened by years of instability, are ill-equipped to monitor or regulate foreign contractors operating with military-grade weapons, helicopters, drones, and naval units.

The lack of formal information from the CSCCA highlights the dangers of opaque governance and fuels suspicions that key state functions are being outsourced without public scrutiny. For critics, the issue is not only whether the contract exists but whether the Haitian government is setting a precedent of normalizing the role of mercenaries in domestic security.

The debate comes at a moment when international actors are pressing for a stronger multinational mission to support the Haitian National Police, and when the country’s sovereignty is increasingly fragile. The use of private armies risks deepening mistrust, eroding state legitimacy, and repeating the mistakes of other conflict zones where PMCs have left behind legacies of instability and impunity.

For Konekte-AYITI and other civic organizations, the path forward is clear: Haitians must demand transparency in every state contract, especially those involving security and the use of force. Without it, Haiti risks trading one form of insecurity for another substituting gangs with mercenaries, while ordinary citizens remain caught in the crossfire.

Charles, D. (2025, September 9). Alleged Vectus Global contract raises alarm over transparency and private military involvement in Haiti.

Gangs Launch Surprise Attack Near Carrefour Péligre: One Officer Killed, Several Injured

Armed groups tied to the Viv Ansanm coalition, specifically members of the Taliban gang and the 400 Mawozo network, staged a surprise assault in the area of Morne Jèn, not far from Carrefour Péligre, according to reporting from Radio Télévision Caraïbes (RTVC).

Initial accounts indicate that one Haitian police officer was killed during the attack, and several brigadiers sustained injuries as the armed men briefly seized control of the locality. The assault underscores the continuing ability of gangs to strike strategic points with little warning, often overwhelming lightly equipped local security personnel.

The Taliban and 400 Mawozo gangs are among the most violent groups operating in central Haiti. The 400 Mawozo, infamous for mass kidnappings including the 2021 abduction of foreign missionaries, have maintained influence over transit routes and rural communities stretching east of Port-au-Prince. The Taliban gang, operating from strongholds around Canaan and Croix-des-Bouquets, has coordinated increasingly with other Viv Ansanm-aligned factions, including under the leadership umbrella of Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérisier.

Carrefour Péligre, located near Haiti’s vital hydroelectric plant, has long been considered a sensitive strategic area. Repeated clashes in this zone highlight the vulnerability of critical infrastructure and the difficulty faced by the Haitian National Police (HNP) in holding terrain against better-armed groups. Security analysts warn that if gangs consolidate control of transport corridors around Péligre, they could threaten both the electricity supply and humanitarian access routes to central departments.

The attack follows a pattern of coordinated gang operations across the country that seek to stretch police capacity while projecting the influence of the Viv Ansanm alliance. Despite international support through the Multinational Security Support Mission, the HNP continues to suffer casualties in direct confrontations, raising questions about sustainability of its operations in contested zones.

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether reinforcements have retaken Morne Jèn. Civil society organizations are calling for urgent measures to protect residents in the Péligre region, where sporadic clashes have displaced families and further disrupted local commerce.

Armed Clash in Délugé: Municipal Commissioner Wounded, Civilian Killed

On September 5, 2025, Municipal Commissioner Gino Chéry was wounded during an armed attack carried out by gang members in the town of Délugé, according to local reports. The senior police official was traveling in one of two Haitian National Police (PNH) patrol vehicles when the convoy came under fire.

Assailants opened fire on the police vehicle, puncturing a tire and forcing it to a halt. Of the four officers inside, three sustained injuries, including Commissioner Chéry.

The violence also claimed a civilian victim. A woman struck by two bullets was rushed to the Saint-Nicolas Hospital in Saint-Marc but later died of her injuries, according to Justice of the Peace Fanel Filius Michel, who confirmed the death.

The confrontation highlights the increasingly dangerous conditions facing police officers in Artibonite, where heavily armed gangs frequently challenge state authority along key transit routes. According to police sources, the truck belonging to a powerful gang leader was confiscated days earlier, a move that may have provoked retaliation.

The Haitian National Police has yet to release an official statement on the incident or provide details about ongoing security operations in the area. Residents of Délugé report heightened tension following the attack, with fears of further reprisals against both police and civilians.

Police Union Welcomes New Promotion Commission, Calls for Transparency and Merit-Based Reform

The National Union of Haitian Police Officers (SYNAPOHA) has welcomed the creation of a commission tasked with reviewing promotion processes within the Haitian National Police (HNP), describing it as a long-awaited step toward fairness and accountability.

According to the union, police officers have for years denounced “flagrant inequalities, lack of transparency, and disregard for the principle of merit” in promotions. SYNAPOHA stressed that the commission can only achieve meaningful reform if it is fully independent, inclusive, and protected from political interference.

The union put forward four key recommendations to ensure the effectiveness and legitimacy of the initiative. These include full transparency of the committee’s work and participation of all relevant stakeholders, including unions; a re-evaluation of all ranks previously granted to verify compliance with standards of competence, seniority, and qualification; the establishment of a permanent merit-based promotion system, free from partisan favoritism; and a guarantee of integrity and impartiality from all commission members throughout the process.

SYNAPOHA underscored that it will remain vigilant and actively involved in the work of the commission, emphasizing that the issue extends beyond promotions. It is, the union stated, also about upholding the fundamental rights and dignity of police officers.

The statement concluded with a call to build a Haitian National Police that is “fairer, more professional, and truly meritocratic.”

Honoring Fallen Officers: A Solemn Farewell at the Police Academy

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the amphitheater of the Police Academy in Frères became the setting for a solemn tribute to four Haitian National Police (PNH) officers killed in Kenscoff. Families, fellow officers, and senior leadership gathered in grief and solidarity to honor the memory of men who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The atmosphere was heavy with emotion. Families wept openly, their sorrow mirrored by their brothers and sisters in uniform. Cries and silence alike bore witness to the immeasurable loss. The coffins, draped in Haiti’s national colors, symbolized both sacrifice and unfinished duty.

Among the fallen were two SWAT officers, Samuel Lissade, 32, and Bisson Jean, known as “Porky,” 26, who were killed on August 19 in Kenscoff following the accidental explosion of a drone during a counter-gang operation. The other two, Jean Guerby Toussaint, 38, and Max Youri Saint-Rose, 22, members of the Departmental Operations and Intervention Brigade (BOID), were executed by individuals affiliated with the Viv Ansanm coalition.

The Acting Director General of the PNH, André Jonas Vladimir Paraison, delivered a message of both tribute and defiance. He promised that the sacrifice of these officers would not be in vain, pledging to intensify efforts against criminal networks. In his remarks, Paraison urged gangs to surrender their weapons, warning that otherwise they would be neutralized.

Addressing both the grief and the anger of those present, he vowed that the police would retake areas under gang control, with particular emphasis on zones dominated by the Viv Ansanm coalition. “The hour of accountability has struck,” he declared, affirming that the PNH would not falter in its duty to restore security.